To help complement the work of the health staff, the ministry says they needed some help to make it easier to manage the cases and the country’s response. By the time the fourth or fifth case came around, the ministry got a big help from the Statistical Institute of Belize. They helped to create digital […]
The health sector has been in high gear due to the corona virus but like other sectors, it is also facing challenges. Even before the lockdown of the economy, the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired, better known as B.C.V.I., closed its branches across the country, laid off its staff of forty and closed its […]
B.C.V.I. is in the process of reviewing new protocols to ensure the safety of its clients. But during that time, its message to clients, in case of emergencies, is to access eye care services in the private sector where the costs are prohibitive to many persons. Carla Ayres-Musa, Executive Director, BCVI “We were able […]
Not far away from the B.C.V.I. is the national referral hospital, where eye treatment is also on the chopping block. Ophthalmologist, Doctor Amin Hegar’s contract with the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital was abruptly terminated a few days. The veteran ‘eye doctor’ has treated thousands of persons over the more than twenty years that he has […]
Hegar’s termination leaves a huge vacuum at the K.H.M.H. According to the doctor, it places the members of the public in a vulnerable position since he was the only one in the public sector to offer ophthalmologic services at the K.H.M.H. Dr. Amin Hegar, Ophthalmologist “I am the only in ophthalmology. They told me […]
Back to the coronavirus…random testing continues three times a week. The Ministry of Health says that they are screening all persons with flu-like symptoms that show up in the health system, but so far, there are no highly suspect cases. But in the coming weeks, they may be changing the approach to testing. Here’s how […]
So, as you heard just now, the Ministry of Health may be doing a more targeted approach in its testing in the coming weeks. The Director of Health Services says the ministry’s testing capacity is based on resources available. Upwards of ninety tests per day can be undertaken and there are eight thousand test kits […]
Doctor Marvin Manzanero says that no vaccine is available as yet, despite developments being made overseas. It is similar news on the issue of rapid tests, which is an option proposed for the reopening of the tourism sector. Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services “Notwithstanding everything happening in terms of treatment, there is […]
While Belize has not detected new cases in more than a month, COVID-19 continues to spread around the world and more is being learnt about the virus. Now the virus is affecting more age groups and those with chronic diseases continue to be at high risk for complications associated with the disease. Dr. Marvin […]
The economic and health impact of the coronavirus is taking a toll at homes across the country where families are having a difficult time to put food on the table. Stress, depression, anxiety are on the rise due. On the occasion of Mental Health Awareness Month, we look at how building awareness can make a […]
Since the start of 2020, we’ve all been focusing on COVID-19. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only health issue you should be concerned about. There’s another potential outbreak that may be coming and we find out more in tonight’s Healthy Living. Marleni Cuellar, Reporting COVID-19 has captured the world’s attention as the […]
The month of May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a difficult time as the COVID-19 pandemic is posing unprecedented challenges. There are different forms of mental illness that can manifest as a result of stress of having to cope with different situations. Today, Minister of Education, Patrick Faber wore the colour […]
Belize now stands as the only country on the American mainland without a new case of COVID-19; that’s because today, Suriname recorded a positive case after forty-four days of no confirmed cases. It is exceptional news coming out of the region, especially for Belize, which has been able to contain the first wave of the […]
It’s day thirty-five since Belize has recorded a positive case of COVID-19, but the Ministry of Health remains on alert as border communities in neighbouring Central American countries continue spiking. Up north in Mexico, there are forty-nine thousand two hundred and nineteen confirmed cases, with five thousand one hundred and seventy-seven deaths. Meanwhile in Guatemala, […]
The ease of restrictions is because there is still no active case of COVID-19 in Belize tonight. Belize has passed its first wave of the disease but the risk for positive cases remains high as the numbers continue to grow in neighbouring countries. In fact, to our west, Guatemala has gone on a virtual lockdown […]
On Tuesday, we reported the death of a five-month-old baby from Bella Vista Village. The report reaching our newsroom was that the child was administered a vaccine at the Independence Polyclinic. But the baby girl, Kynslee Jasmin Caal, died four to five days later after she got ill, showing signs of respiratory problem and a […]
It’s been over four weeks since the last confirmed case of COVID-19 in Belize. Now that the first wave has been contained it has led to some easing of movement restrictions and opening of more businesses. But, if you’re a fitness buff, we’re sorry to report that there’s still no gym access. So tonight in […]
Lord Michael Ashcroft will be on Open Your Eyes this Thursday morning and we’ll hear from him on a wide range of issues, including the shocks caused by the novel coronavirus to the economy, investment and the country’s spiralling debt. Lord Ashcroft has also been assisting in the fight against COVID-19. Today, the Ministry of […]
At the western border cargo trucks are still lining up. The Ministry of Immigration intervened on Monday after Guatemalan truck drivers blocked cargo trucks, coming from Guatemala, from entering Belize. The matter, however, remains fluid. The drivers of the trucks are not being allowed into Belize due to the COVID-19, but their cargo and trucks […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has shed further light on the critical work that nurses do to save lives. International Nurses Day was observed today across the globe to recognize the noble job of nurses. Nurse Deborah Latchman of the Belize Healthcare Partners Limited has been at the frontlines for forty-three long years. She says, the hours […]
National Nurses’ Week is celebrated from May sixth through to May twelfth. On the culmination of this globally recognized event, today the Acting Deputy Director of Health Services Ann Matute appeared on Ask the Experts webcast and paid tribute to the frontline workers. Ann Matute, Acting Deputy Director of Health Services “In Belize, nurses […]
One of the pressing challenges facing the healthcare system in Belize is that there is a shortage of nurses. Currently there are eight hundred and ninety eight active nurses, with ninety-five percent female and five percent male. But even with almost nine hundred nurses, according to the world standards there is a still a shortage. […]
So, hospitals are understaffed as it relates to nurses, which results in nurses being overworked. And because of this, many nurses may experience fatigue and other stresses that come from working long hours in an already high-intensity environment. So, how does the ministry support nurses’ mental health? Eleanor Bennett, Registrar, Nursing and Midwives Council […]
Belize has passed its first wave of COVID-19. But don’t expect that things will go back to normal immediately. Coming out of today’s meeting of the National Oversight Committee, it is anticipated that some of the restrictions will be relaxed, such as the re-opening of hotel restaurants and use of its facilities. But curfew hours, […]
At the top of the newscast, Director of Health Services, Doctor Marvin Manzanero shared that Belize has contained its first wave of the COVID-19, but the number of cases are increasing in the region. Despite the fact that everyone is now required to wear a mask and practice physical distancing, the risk of a second […]
